Looking back over the styles that have proved popular with the / readers of Woodworker's Journal over the years, I've been amazed at the strength of Mission furniture's second life. Originally popular at the beginning of the last century, this style's revival started in earnest about 10 years ago and shows no sign of abating. Thumb through the circulars in last Sunday's newspaper and you'll see what I mean. Furniture stores tout the latest "Mission" suites or "Arts & Crafts" furniture or "Stickley" inspired designs. It's clear that this is a style that is going to be around for a while. In this special issue, we've brought together some of the top woodworkers in the country to guide you through nine projects that speak to the Arts & Crafts sensibility.

But to start you off, our own associate editor, Joanna Werch Takes, delves into the derivation and history of some of the more popular styles (see page 8). From there, it's one great project after another, with our cadre of accomplished woodworkers taking their inspiration from some great names of the past. Gustav Stickley makes an appearance, of course, as the influence behind Rick White's quartersawn oak Dining Room Chairs (page 30), with their housed tenons and pyramid plugs, and his matching Dining Room Table (page 48).

He provides a brief history on page 67, then brings their ebony-plugged furniture to life with an adaptation of a Wall Mirror from the 1908 Gamble House, and a handsome mahogany Dining Table with two leaves £ (see page 74).

Time to buy some white oak, roll up your sleeves and polish those mortise and tenon joinery skills. I hope you enjoy building this collection.